SE Illinois News

Senator Dale Fowler recently welcomed Southern Illinois high school students to the State Capitol for his annual Student Advisory Council (SAC). Reflecting on the event, Senator Fowler expressed his delight in having the students back at the Capitol after several years of absence due to COVID and renovations. He stated, "This is one of my favorite events and it was great to have the students back at the State Capitol this year. We haven’t been able to host them in Springfield for several years due to COVID and capitol renovations. We wanted to give the students of my district an opportunity to see their state capitol and to create a unique experience for them."

The SAC event also saw the presence of Lt. Governor Julliana Stratton, Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran, and Events and Engagement Director Lori Yates, who engaged with the students at the Capitol. One of the students, Hannah Farmer from Eldorado High School, expressed her excitement, saying, "The State Capitol is beautiful and breathtaking. It is such a cool opportunity. It’s not an opportunity that everyone gets every day to meet your Lieutenant Governor and all of these cool speakers, so it has been really cool."

The SAC organized by Senator Fowler is a two-part series where high school students from the 59th District gather in the fall at Southern Illinois University to draft bill ideas for debate during the Spring council. Gabrielle Buretz from Vienna High School shared her motivation for joining the council, stating, "I joined this council to know more about politics and have a broader understanding of state government. You get to learn more, and it widens your scope on everyday life. I think it is good for young people to get another understanding because it will help you when you are old enough to vote and know what to look for."

During the Spring SAC, students take on different legislative roles such as citizen proponent/opponent, lobbyist proponent/opponent, senators, and press/media to debate their proposed legislation in a mock committee hearing. Schools in attendance at this year’s council included Eldorado High School, Cairo High School, Cobden High School, Hardin County High School, Vienna High School, Goreville High School, Harrisburg High School, Cairo Elementary School, and Goreville Elementary School. The Youth Advisory Councils were provided with refreshments and lunch by Meridian Health Plan of Illinois.